Intravascular radially expandable stent

A method for making a stent comprising:

• (a) providing a flat wire band formed into a zig-zag pattern;
• (b) attaching a polymeric film to the flat wire band;
• (c) attaching a therapeutic substance to at least one side of the polymeric film;
• and
• (d) bending the preform and polymeric film into a generally cylindrical shape with open proximal and distal ends.

A method for making a stent comprising:

• (a) depositing drug-containing microcapsules into a mold;
• (b) applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the mold into contact with the microcapsules;
• (c) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution in the mold to make a polymeric film with the microcapsules bound to the film;
• and
• (d) securing the polymeric film to a stent.

A method for making a stent comprising:

• (a) providing a metal stent having an expandable zig-zag portion;
• (b) providing a stretchable polymeric film;
• (c) placing the stent zig-zag portion into contact with the polymeric film;
• (c) applying a coating of a solution of the polymer and a solvent onto the contacting stent zig-zag portion and film;
• and
• (d) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution on the stent zig-zag portion and polymeric film.

A method for making a stent comprising:

• (a) providing a flat, elongated stent preform having an expandable zig-zag therein;
• (b) attaching a stretchable polymeric film to the preform such that the polymeric film is bound to the zig-zags and matches the contour of the preform;
• and
• (d) forming the preform and polymeric film into a helix with open proximal and distal ends.